MAC Number & Previous ISP Charging Me While An IDNET Subscriber

[colonelsun]

Just a quickie.

My IDNET broadband became active on March 27th 2009, i'm as happy as Larry, as they say, with my connection, in fact i'm over the moon.

My previous ISP looks set to be charging me for the month of April even though i'm no longer with them. My previous ISP, Sky Broadband, tell me it is because my MAC Number had not been requested by new ISP and therefore Sky presumed i was still with them. It all sounds a bit farcical to me as i was definitely receiving an IDNET broadband connection because it hasn't been taking an hour to download a 20KB JPEG.

Are Sky taking the proverbial and just covering up their own stupidity or do you think they are serious?

[Rik]

The request for a MAC starts two processes, one - it gives notice to the current provider, you'd need to check the t&cs to see what that period is, two - it allows the connection to be moved from one ISP to another. The receiving ISP, in this case IDNet, give the MAC to BT and, if it's in order, BT move the connection and advise the losing ISP. IDNet do not make contact with Sky at any point.

[colonelsun]

Thanks Rik for a clear response. I'm afraid my previous ISP, Sky, were very devious in the way they phrased their answer to me. At around 45 seconds into the conversation it was all my fault, that soon shifted to IDNET when i said i still had copies of all email contacts with Sky themselves, but at no stage could Sky be blamed for anything.

My instinct is to see exactly what amount is withdrawn via Direct Debit, collect my saved emails and make a formal complaint. From Sky's perspective this looks like a nice little earner...allegedly.

[Lance]

Just complain to the bank that the direct debit is wrong and incorrect and they should instantly refund the money.

[Colin Burns]

threaten them with Ofcom should make them see that they are idiots and if they ain't taken the money from you yet cancel the direct debit to them at the bank.

[Sebby]

If they're a member of the ISPA, submit a complaint and it should get sorted. I've gone through the ISPA several times in the past when it's been the only way to sort a problem with a frustrating ISP.

[Simon_idnet]

I would recommend that you contact your bank (either by phone or by online banking) and cancel the Direct Debit ASAP. They will then have to justify the charge and chase you for payment of it.

Simon

[Simon]

That's what I did with Pipex.  They chased me, but couldn't justify it. 

[Ann]

Why don't you simply delete the direct debit.. (I 'delete' mine as it's an online account but substitute the correct word for yours).  Whenever I finish with a company, I immediately delete the DD and have them send me a final bill in the post.  Then you have time to argue about it.  Often I've argued about it for so long that they finally give up with me.. LOL.

[Rik]

First thing I did once I had the order confirmation for my phone line moving to IDNet was cancel the BT direct debit.

[colonelsun]

Thanks to all.

One small problem with cancelling the Direct Debit is that the broadband cost only constitutes a third of the bill....the other two thirds are taken up by Sky's phone service and my tv subscription. So cancelling the DD seems impossible.

Too many eggs in one basket?

[Rik]

You are stuck in that case, but if the amount is wrong, the bank has to refund it immediately.

[Maverich]

Sky are only trying to do the same thing to me!! Just got a bill through and they are trying to charge me for 2 months worth of broadband when only only used 5 days and cancelled within the cooling off period!! Makes me so incredibly mad 

Sorry needed to vent frustration!

[Simon]

If you're sure you don't owe them anything, cancel the direct debit, and let them chase you for it, which they will then have to justify.